I am finaly looking at booking a guided caribou hunt !!

But I havent got a clue as to what province I should be hunting in and which outfitter to look at. I am hoping for a hunt that puts us right in the middle of a major migration route. I can hunt caribou here in BC, but I want to experience thousands of animals moving about. I would also be more inclined to hunt with an outfit that offers 2 tags.

Does anyone have any sugestions/recomendations of where I should start??

Thanks!!

p.s. I would prefer hunting for them in hard antler....if that makes a difference.

Well, I've been outfitting for caribou for over 25 years, and I know we're situated on a major migration route, in fact the only river crossing in 145 miles, but we seldom see thousands moving about, and when it does happen, it's not day in, day out, or even every season! I think every client would like to see or experience a big movement, but they recognize that it's luck of the draw.

There are a few areas still offering two tags where numbers are high, but most areas are getting smart and going back to one tag. As an old time hunter, I'm more in favor of getting a client one excellent, high scoring animal than wasting time just killing a pair of token animals.

So, based on your wants, I'd have to suggest going to Quebec and asking for a written guarantee of meeting your wants!

But, if you ever change your mind and decide you'd like a good quality hunt for an excellent caribou and a chance to see some unique country and have a great experience, then look towards the NWT.

~Arctic~

I have been reading through a few old posts on the subject and it seems that my pre-concieved ideas of being dropped off amongst a sea of caribou may not be a realistic expectation....despite what I see on WildTV.

Thanks for the straight forward response Arctic. I would be much happier on a hunt when I know what I am getting into. We are looking at booking a trip with a few of our friends from New Zealand and I wouldn't want them to travel over here and feel like they paid for something they didn't get.
What is your outfit?

Yes it is definitely luck of the draw. I have been on hunts where we did see thousands of animals everyday and I've been on hunts where you were happy to see a couple a day.

I second the NWT for Central Barrenground caribou.

BC James, you should forget Quebec, and go to the NWT, I went there some years back, saw thousands of animals, shot a great bull,( actually 2), experienced great Grayling and Lake Trout fishing,and had a ball. I have been to Quebec as well, and though their top-end bulls are supposedly larger, they are not as pretty as the NWT caribou, it can be hard to find an animal with a nice, white cape, and many, if not most of the bulls I saw had no top points at all. Additionally, the weather in Quebec is awful, and the fishing there couldn't compare.Try Barry Taylor at Arctic Safaris, he runs a great camp, and puts on a quality hunt. One other little heads-up on Quebec; the George River and Leaf River herds get pummeled on a yearly basis by dozens of outfits containing thousands of hunters, and as a result, it seems that the really big bulls get taken before breeding, leaving the less desirable bulls to pass on their inferior genetics. The NWT caribou don't get anywhere near that kind of pressure, and as a result have better average trophy quality.

Last December, I hunted caribou in Northern Quebec and probably saw several hundred per day. At peak times you will see many times that amount. The Quebec winter caribou hunt is unique because you can drive to it. A good road was put in when Quebec made a massive hydro electric development. It is about far north from Toronto as Florida is south. We rented a 4x4 in Toronto and it took us 2 days to reach the lodge (mirage outfitters, highly recommended). You must use an outfitter but a guide is not required practically or legally. Cost is about $1,500/per person all inclusive (except for Quebec caribou tag- $300 for two 'bous) for the three day hunt. Success rate was at least 99%.

quote:

Originally posted by Arctic:
Well, I've been outfitting for caribou for over 25 years, and I know we're situated on a major migration route, in fact the only river crossing in 145 miles, but we seldom see thousands moving about, and when it does happen, it's not day in, day out, or even every season! I think every client would like to see or experience a big movement, but they recognize that it's luck of the draw.

There are a few areas still offering two tags where numbers are high, but most areas are getting smart and going back to one tag. As an old time hunter, I'm more in favor of getting a client one excellent, high scoring animal than wasting time just killing a pair of token animals.

So, based on your wants, I'd have to suggest going to Quebec and asking for a written guarantee of meeting your wants!

But, if you ever change your mind and decide you'd like a good quality hunt for an excellent caribou and a chance to see some unique country and have a great experience, then look towards the NWT.

~Arctic~

Arctic, can tell us which is his. NWT outfitters

I operate "Arctic Safaris", and since my house and office burnt down last month, the email is now info@arcticsafaris.ca

Barry Taylor (Arctic)

Barry, sorry to hear about your house. I hope that everything turns out ok. I've been all over N.A. since hunting with your outfit, and still consider the hunt that I made with Arctic Safaris #1 on my list. Best of luck. John

I've never looked at it seriously but I was checking out a website a few months ago, for a Quebec outfit. They have several hunts, one of which is a high-dollar "trophy" hunt, in which it is scheduled with the onset of the rut.
Caribou are stupid to begin with and rutting caribou make grouse look intelligent. I watched a video where some guys were there during the rut (it's why I checked the website of that particular outfitter) and enormous bulls were running all over the place!

It was expensive, I think $8500 or so.

If you want a seriously large bull and money is no object, then that is the time to go.

I expect you could save a pile of money and book with that same outfitter, on either side of the dates of the trophy hunt and still get a chance at a huge bull, and the hunt might be more challenging but I don't know.

I have hunted in Newfoundland,Quebec,and N.W.T. for caribou but like others I have only seen 35/40 animals in a group. But all three hunts were a ball with there own adventures.Always had it in my head to hunt with Barry sometime, the last time I was up there I hunted with Stan Stevens for mountain caribou.I put 12,000 + miles on my truck that year fuel was $1.45 everywhere Yellowknife was two bucks that was in 2001. I have said it many times I sure hope all you Canadians appreciate your country it sure is a great adventure. Bill